"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Dickens 1)
In the opening sentence (believe it or not!), Dickens introduces many key themes of the novel: juxtaposition, tyranny, pairs, suffering, and atrocity. The juxtaposition of pairs, in particular, stands out. Some people are dirt poor, some are filthy rich, some are foolish and going to hell, some are wise and off to heaven, some live life wonderfully, and others suffer though life. He touches on feelings of peasants and nobles in France (and England): hope, despair, belief, incredulity, good, and evil. Dickens tells the reader to keep in mind and question such topics as they read his story.
"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other." (Dickens 8)
Dickens reflects on the lack of understanding between people, arguably a major contributor to many problems in the book. Doctor Manette's suffering cannot be comprehended by others, and he constantly returns to it via shoe cobbling. None can possibly understand the level of anger which Defarge feels against the Evremeondes until she registers them. Carton's true love for Lucie cannot be understood by any until it is too late and he is dead. The secrets which people hold in their minds, such as the secrets which France's people built up through so many years of suffering, cannot be consoled until it is too late and they have been acted upon.
"Repression is the only lasting philosophy. The dark deference of fear and slavery my friend ... will keep the dogs obedient ... I will die, perpetuating the system under which I have lived" (Dickens 94-95)
The French nobles merely continue the system under which society has laid before them, as it has so many others prior: repression. The pattern of oppression, revolution, then new oppression is never ending as those who continue such an established system are all willing to die the continue it. This devotion only perpetuates the cycle, as the only way to overthrow oppressors is killing, creating new oppressors, who now also need killing, and so on and so on. Where does such tyranny end?
"All our lives, we have seen our sister-women suffer, in themselves and in their children, poverty, nakedness, hunger, thirst, sickness, misery,oppression, and neglect of all kinds ... Is it likely that the trouble of one wife and mother would be much to us now?" (Dickens 208)
Revenge drives the revolution. Their suffering has turned them heartless, as shown through Madame Defarge. Dickens encourages readers to reflect upon the consequences of such passionate revenge. Where does the cycle end? One act of tyranny merely leads to the next act.
"Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death; — the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!" (Dickens 213)
Dickens satirizes the slogan of the french revolution to mock the level of brutality which they descend to in their pursuit of vengeance. While they kill in the name of liberty, equality, and fraternity, in reality the revolution betrays high morals, indiscriminately murdering all those who cross its path. Furthermore, he characterizes the Guillotine to make readers aware of who really controls it. The guillotine is not actually the one to bestow death- it is those behind it.
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." (Dickens 293)
The last line, one of the most famous ever, of A Tale of Two Cities, provides closure for Carton as a hero. He recognizes the nobility behind his action and take pride in it. Furthermore, he recognizes that a better life awaits him after the suffering of death. This mirrors what he believes will happen to France: It will rise from the ashes a noble people and better off. Despite all of his, like France's, wasted efforts and suffering, he will be resurrected in a better place.
In the opening sentence (believe it or not!), Dickens introduces many key themes of the novel: juxtaposition, tyranny, pairs, suffering, and atrocity. The juxtaposition of pairs, in particular, stands out. Some people are dirt poor, some are filthy rich, some are foolish and going to hell, some are wise and off to heaven, some live life wonderfully, and others suffer though life. He touches on feelings of peasants and nobles in France (and England): hope, despair, belief, incredulity, good, and evil. Dickens tells the reader to keep in mind and question such topics as they read his story.
"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other." (Dickens 8)
Dickens reflects on the lack of understanding between people, arguably a major contributor to many problems in the book. Doctor Manette's suffering cannot be comprehended by others, and he constantly returns to it via shoe cobbling. None can possibly understand the level of anger which Defarge feels against the Evremeondes until she registers them. Carton's true love for Lucie cannot be understood by any until it is too late and he is dead. The secrets which people hold in their minds, such as the secrets which France's people built up through so many years of suffering, cannot be consoled until it is too late and they have been acted upon.
"Repression is the only lasting philosophy. The dark deference of fear and slavery my friend ... will keep the dogs obedient ... I will die, perpetuating the system under which I have lived" (Dickens 94-95)
The French nobles merely continue the system under which society has laid before them, as it has so many others prior: repression. The pattern of oppression, revolution, then new oppression is never ending as those who continue such an established system are all willing to die the continue it. This devotion only perpetuates the cycle, as the only way to overthrow oppressors is killing, creating new oppressors, who now also need killing, and so on and so on. Where does such tyranny end?
"All our lives, we have seen our sister-women suffer, in themselves and in their children, poverty, nakedness, hunger, thirst, sickness, misery, oppression, and neglect of all kinds ... Is it likely that the trouble of one wife and mother would be much to us now?" (Dickens 208)
Revenge drives the revolution. Their suffering has turned them heartless, as shown through Madame Defarge. Dickens encourages readers to reflect upon the consequences of such passionate revenge. Where does the cycle end? One act of tyranny merely leads to the next act.
"Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death; — the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!" (Dickens 213)
Dickens satirizes the slogan of the french revolution to mock the level of brutality which they descend to in their pursuit of vengeance. While they kill in the name of liberty, equality, and fraternity, in reality the revolution betrays high morals, indiscriminately murdering all those who cross its path. Furthermore, he characterizes the Guillotine to make readers aware of who really controls it. The guillotine is not actually the one to bestow death- it is those behind it.
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." (Dickens 293)
The last line, one of the most famous ever, of A Tale of Two Cities, provides closure for Carton as a hero. He recognizes the nobility behind his action and take pride in it. Furthermore, he recognizes that a better life awaits him after the suffering of death. This mirrors what he believes will happen to France: It will rise from the ashes a noble people and better off. Despite all of his, like France's, wasted efforts and suffering, he will be resurrected in a better place.